Despite ECOWAS Suggestion… Sierra Leone Tax On Tobacco Is Still Zero

“Countries should raise tobacco prices and taxes – 10% increase reduces tobacco consumption rates by 8%; Minimum ECOWAS 15%.”

This was a quote from the World Health Organization who is the leading technical adviser to the Ministry in relation to Tobacco and was delivered by Lansana Conteh, Programme Manager, Health Education Division, Ministry of Health and Sanitation during an orientation of Media Practitioners on Tobacco Prevention and Control. The Programme Manager, Health Education Division went on to say that tax issue is a serious problem for them to fight against tobacco.

He disclosed that they are working on a bill that will be subjected to debate in Parliament to restrict tobacco product in the country. He said the orientation is to empower the media to have more information on the danger of Tobacco and what are the steps they have taken.

According to Mr Conteh this is just a continuation of the lineup activities for this year.

He described tobacco as the only legal product that maims and kills half of its users when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer.

“Scientific evidence has unequivocally established that use of, and exposure to, tobacco causes disease, disability and death!”

6 million deaths globally every year;One death every six seconds; Over 5 million due to direct use (smoking and smokeless); Up to 600,000 deaths among non-smokers (second-hand smoke).

Tobacco use in the African Region statistics shows that 18% (21 boys & 13 girls) use any tobacco; 6.5% (9.2 boys & 3.2 girls) currently smoke cigarettes; 12% (12.8 boys & 10.1 girls) currently use OTHER tobacco products;

Trend shows increase of tobacco use among youth; Prevalence among adults ð 21% males (94M) & 3% females (13M); Half of adolescents are exposed to secondhand smoke.

While the Tobacco use among adolescents Sierra Leone shows 15.5% young people smoked cigarettes; 23.5% currently use tobacco products; 44.2% live in homes where others smoke in their presence; 56.0% are exposed to friends who smoke outside their homes; 54.9% are aware of the harmful effects of second hand smoke.

Tobacco Mr Conteh went on has over four thousand chemicals even if you don’t smoking you can be affected by some of these chemicals such as Nicontine, Benzopyrene, Arsenic, Acetone, Lead, Formaldehyde, Turepntine, Propylene Glycol and Gutane among others.

Health for All Coalition representative said tobacco is a legal product, it can’t be band but they can restrict it. 

WHO representative said Tobacco is the second largest commodity that is imported in Sierra Leone excluding rice. Tobacco is a legal product but it can be control and minimize.

Dan Parkinson Chairman of the orientation asked why the government still allows tobacco smoking in the country when they know the dangers behind it.